Sample rack handling system

ABSTRACT

A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample rack handling systemand particularly to a sample rack handling system suitable forautomatically performing pretreatment for sample inspection in aclinical inspection field.

[0002] An ordinary sample handling system comprises various kinds oftreatment units (a centrifuge unit, a destoppler unit, an aliquoterunit, a bar-code labeler unit, a restoppler unit, a sorting unit, ananalyzer unit and so on) respectively containing a rack transportationunit and transportation lines connecting between the treatment units,and the handling system is constructed by connecting between thetreatment unit and the treatment unit, between the transportation lineand the treatment unit, or between the transportation line and thetransportation line.

[0003] An automatic sample handling system is proposed in “HitachiReview, Vol.41, No.4, pages 167-172 (1992)”. In the automatic samplehandling system, a transportation line for transporting samples iscomposed of a plurality of transportation routes to branch thetransportation line into a plurality of routes so that the samples maybe distributed to the various kinds of treatment units.

[0004] The treatment units arranged in the system comprises an automaticcentrifuge unit for separating blood into serum and cells, a destopplerunit for automatically removing a cap of a sample container, analiquoter unit for pipetting serum from a mother sample container to adaughter sample container, a bar code labeler unit for attaching a barcode label having the same sample ID as that of the mother sample to thedaughter sample container, a re-stoppler for setting the cap to thesample container, a sample sorting unit for sorting the samplecontainers by inspection groups, a chemical analyzer unit forautomatically performing chemical analysis of the sample.

[0005] On the other hand, an automatic analyzing system having a racktransportation portion and a plurality of analyzing units is disclosedin Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.3-285175. In the automaticanalyzing system, a sample is pipetted from a sample rack stopping onthe rack transportation portion to an analyzer unit. The analyzer unitsare respectively connected to the rack transportation portion by aplurality of positioning pins.

[0006] In the above-mentioned systems disclosed in Hitachi Review,Vol.41, No.4 and Japanese Patent Application LaidOpen No.3-285175, aheight adjusting mechanism is required independently in each of thetreatment units such as analyzer units and the rack transportationportion. Further, it is necessary to perform height adjustment for eachof the treatment units and the rack transportation portion with respectto a floor surface of a facility to install the system therein as thereference height level when the system is constructed.

[0007] If a treatment unit detachably combined with the racktransportation portion has a rack transferring area having an inlet portand an outlet port for the sample rack, the sample rack must be smoothlytransferred from the rack transportation portion to the racktransferring area, and reversely from the rack transferring area to therack transportation portion. However, it is not easy to make the levelsof the inlet port and the outlet port for the sample rack installed at acomparatively high position from the floor surface agree with the levelof the transportation surface of the rack transportation portion becausethere is unevenness on the floor surface to be used as the height levelreference. That is, in order to prevent catching or falling of thesample rack when the sample rack is transferred between the racktransportation portion and the treatment unit, fine adjustment of thelevel is required and accordingly large labor is required in suchadjusting work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sample rackhandling system in which work adjusting height level between a racktransportation assembly and a treatment unit structure can be performedwith less labor in a construction in which the both are detachablycombined, and a sample rack can be easily transferred between them.

[0009] The present invention is applied to a sample rack handling systemwhich comprises a rack transportation assembly having a passage capableof transporting a sample rack holding a sample, the rack transportationassembly being to be installed on a floor surface; and a treatment unitstructure having a rack transferring area for sending out and receivingthe sample rack to and from the passage, the treatment unit structurebeing capable of being combined with the rack transportation assembly.

[0010] The rack transportation assembly comprises a projecting memberformed in the rack transportation assembly below the passage, theprojecting member projecting forward from the rack transportationassembly; a first reference surface facing upward formed on an uppersurface of the projecting member; a plurality of adjusters for adjustingheight, the adjuster being attached at a position lower than theprojecting member in the rack transportation assembly.

[0011] Further, the treatment unit structure comprises a secondreference surface facing downward formed at a position near a backsurface of the treatment unit structure lower than the rack transferringarea; casters to be used so as to contact to the floor surface when thetreatment unit structure is moved on the floor surface, the caster beingarranged at a position lower than the second reference surface in thetreatment unit structure; and a height adjuster capable of adjusting aheight from the floor surface in the front side of the treatment unitstructure after the second reference surface is brought in contact withthe first reference surface.

[0012] In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the casterin the treatment unit structure is attached at a position where thecaster does not come into contact with the rack transportation assemblywhen combining of the treatment unit structure with the racktransportation assembly is completed. Further, the rack transferringarea in the treatment unit structure comprises a rack inlet port and arack outlet port, and after completion of combining the treatment unitstructure with the rack transportation assembly, a level of a racktransferring surface of the rack inlet port is equal to or lower than alevel of a rack transportation surface of the passage in the racktransportation assembly, and a level of a rack transferring surface ofthe rack outlet port is equal to or higher than a level of a racktransportation surface of the passage in the rack transportationassembly, and a level difference between the rack transportation surfaceand each of the rack transferring surfaces does not exceed 5 mm.

[0013] Furthermore, in a preferable embodiment of the present invention,a plurality of treatment unit structures are combined with one racktransportation assembly. Further, the rack transportation assemblyincludes a rack having the projecting portion and the plurality ofadjusters; and a rack transportation mechanism having the passage, therack transportation mechanism being attached onto the rack. Further, thetreatment unit structure comprises a plurality of vertical stripesformed in an equal interval on a front surface of the treatment unitstructure, and a width dimension of the treatment unit structure isinteger times of the interval of the stripes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing an embodiment oflayout in a sample rack handling system to which the present inventionis applied.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a view showing another embodiment of layout in a samplerack handling system to which the present invention is applied.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view explaining the level relationshipbetween the rack transportation assembly and the treatment unitstructure.

[0017]FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are views explaining the process whenthe treatment unit structure is combined with the rack transportationassembly.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a view explaining positioning in a width direction andin a depth direction when the treatment unit structures are combinedwith the rack transportation assembly.

[0019]FIG. 6 is an outward view showing a further embodiment of layoutin a sample rack handling system to which the present invention isapplied.

[0020]FIG. 7A to FIG. 7F are schematic plan views explaining variousexamples of combination of rack transportation mechanism portions whenthe treatment unit structures are combined with one rack transportationassembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Initially, the total construction of an example of layout in asample rack handling system to which the present invention applied willbe conceptually described below, referring to FIG. 1.

[0022] The sample rack handling system of FIG. 1 comprises a racktransportation system 1 having a plurality of rack transportation lineunits la to li and a plurality of treatment units 2 a, 2 b, 3 to 9. Eachof the line units 1 a to 1 i composes a rack transportation assembly tobe described later. Each of the treatment units composes a treatmentunit structure. Each of the treatment units is connected to thecorresponding rack transportation assembly detachably, that is,separably from each other. A rack loader unit 50 is arranged in thestart terminal side of the rack transportation system 1, and a rackstorage unit 60 is arranged in the end terminal side of the racktransportation system 1. Each of buffer units 1 a, 2 b and the treatmentunits 3 to 9 respectively contains a unit control portion forcontrolling operation of its own unit, and has a function to transmitoperation information of the own unit to each of the partial line unitsla to li paring in corresponding to each of the treatment units. Thecentrifuge unit 3, the on-line aliquoter unit 5 and the analyzer unit 9out of the plurality of treatment units 3 to 9 arranged along the racktransportation system 1 are units for performing physical treatments toa sample held in a sample rack. In addition, the analyzer unit 9 alsoperforms chemical treatment to the extracted sample. On the other hand,the destoppler unit 4, the bar code labeler unit 6, the restoppler unit7 and the sorting unit 8 are units for performing some operation to acontainer containing a sample. Here, these operations are genericallycalled as sample treatments. An off-line aliquoter unit may be arrangedinstead of the analyzer unit.

[0023] The rack loader unit 50, the rack storage unit 60 and the racktransportation system 1 composing the core portion in the sample rackhandling system of FIG. 1 are connected to one another throughcommunication cables 53 a to 53 j. The rack loader unit 50 controllingthe core composing portion is connected to a central controller 17through a communication cable 52. The buffer units 2 a, 2 b and thetreatment units 3 to 9 are connected to the corresponding line units 1 ato 1 i forming pairs through communication cables 71 to 79,respectively. Therefore, information on operation in connection withtransportation of a sample rack in each treatment units is transmittedto the central controller through the line unit forming a pair.

[0024] Information on operating condition regardless of transportationof a sample rack is communicated between the necessary treatment unitsand the central controller 17 through communication cables 81 to 84.

[0025] Each of the plurality of line unites performs communication withthe neighboring line units and communication with the treatment unitforming a pair and communication with the central controller 17.Dropping-in of a sample rack at a treatment unit is executed undercontrol of the rack transportation system 1 by the central controller 17when the central controller 17 confirms that the treatment unit canreceive the sample rack. The on-line aliquoter unit 5 communicates withthe central controller 17 on pipetting information. The bar code labelerunit 6 communicates with the central controller 17 on label printinginformation. Further, the sorting unit 8 communicates with the centralcontroller 17 on sorting information, and the analyzer unit 9communicates with the central controller 17 on pipetting and analyzinginformation.

[0026] A sample rack holding a general sample is set to the rack loaderunit 50, and when inspection of an urgent sample is required, a samplerack holding the urgent sample is set to the rack loader unit. Thesample rack set to the rack loader unit 50 is transported by the racktransportation system 1. In that case, the sample rack holding theurgent sample is transported in preference to the rack holding thegeneral sample. When the transported rack arrives at a read portion, notshown, a rack kind (rack ID) and a sample identification number (sampleID) are read and registered in the central controller 17 for controllingthe rack transportation system 1. The registered sample rack is furthertransported to be firstly stored in the buffer unit 2 a if the rack isto be dropped in at the centrifuge unit 3. When the buffer unit 2 a isfully filled with sample racks or when a preset time-out period elapses,the sample racks are returned to the rack transportation system 1 fromthe buffer unit 2 a to be successively transported into the centrifugeunit 3. The transported sample rack is performed centrifugal treatmentfor a preset time, and the sample rack after the treatment is returnedto the rack transportation system 1.

[0027] A sample rack 10 (refer to FIG. 2) not dropped-in at thecentrifuge unit 3 passes by the buffer unit 2 a and the centrifuge unit3. The buffer unit 2 a is provided to make a sample rack to be performedcentrifuge treatment next as a standby rack by completing treatment ofthe sample rack during centrifugal treatment of the precedent samplerack in order to improve speed of treatment.

[0028] A sample rack to be dropped in at the destoppler unit 4 istransported to the destoppler unit 4. In the centrifuge unit 3, loadingand unloading are continuously performed because a predetermined numberof sample racks are performed centrifugal treatment at a time.Therefore, the buffer unit 2 b is provided so as to prevent the sampleracks from stagnating on the rack transportation system 1 duringunloading them. In the destoppler unit 4, a cap of a sample test tube isopened, and the sample rack after completion of the destopplingtreatment is returned to the rack transportation system 1. A sample rack10 not dropping-in at the destoppler unit 4 passes by the destopplerunit 4.

[0029] A sample rack to be dropped in at the on-line aliquoter unit 5 istransported to the on-line aliquoter unit 5. In this unit, serum issucked, and the serum in regard to only a sample requested by aninstruction from the central controller 17 is pipetted into anothercontainer. After completion of pipetting, the sample rack is returned tothe rack transportation system 1. On the other hand, the daughter samplerack formed by the pipetting is also transported by the racktransportation system 1. A sample rack not dropped in at the on-linealiquoter unit 5 passes by the on-line aliquoter unit 5.

[0030] A sample rack to be dropped in at the bar code labeler unit 6 istransported to the bar code labeler unit 6. Each of test tubes held inthe newly supplied daughter rack is labeled with the same sampleidentification number as that of the mother sample pipetted, andreturned to the rack transportation system 1 after checking the label byreading. A sample rack 10 not dropped in at the bar code labeler unit 6passes by the bar code labeler unit 6.

[0031] A sample rack to be dropped in at the restoppler unit 7 istransported to the restoppler unit 7. Each of the transported test tubesis stoppled, and the sample rack performed with the stoppling treatmentis returned to the rack transportation system 1. A sample rack notdropped in at the restoppler unit 7 passes by the restoppler unit 7.

[0032] A sample rack to be dropped in at the sorting unit 8 istransported to the sorting unit 8. Only a requested test tube out of thetest tubes in the transported sample rack is transferred to and mountedon a designated position, and returned to the rack transportation system1. A sample rack not dropped in at the sorting unit 8 passes by thesorting unit 8.

[0033] A sample rack 10 to be dropped in at the off-line aliquoter unitor the analyzer unit 9 is transported there. only a requested sample ispipetted to a designated container, and returned to the racktransportation system 1 after completion of pipetting. A sample rack notdropped in at the off-line aliquoter unit or the analyzer unit 9 passesby there. Finally, the sample rack is transported to the rack storageunit 60.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a view showing another embodiment of layout in a samplerack handling system. Portions having the same function as those in FIG.1 are identified by the same reference characters. The treatment unitsin FIG. 2 are shown more concretely than those in FIG. 1. Comparing tothe embodiment of layout of FIG. 1, the embodiment of layout of FIG. 2does not have the buffer unit 2 a, the centrifuge unit 3 and the bufferunit 2 b. The rack loader unit 50 includes a rack loader unit 50 a forgeneral sample, a rack loader unit 50 b for urgent sample and a readerunit 12 for reading rack ID bar codes and sample ID bar codes.

[0035] The treatment units 4 to 9 respectively have rack transferringarea 24 to 29 for transferring a sample rack 10 received from the racktransportation system. Each of the rack transferring areas has a rackinlet port and a rack outlet port. In FIG. 2, the rack inlet port andthe rack outlet port are shown by arrows. In the destoppler unit 4, thesample rack received from the line unit Id through the rack inlet portin the rack transferring area 24 is transferred to a destoppler position34, and transferred to the rack outlet port in the rack transferringarea 24 after removing the cap. Then, the sample rack is transferred tothe line unit Id through the rack outlet port. Such operation oftransferring the sample rack from the rack inlet port to the rack outletport through the treatment position is the same as operation in theother treatment units 5 to 9.

[0036] The on-line aliquoter unit 5 includes a supply unit 5 a forsupplying a daughter rack and an aliquot treatment unit 5 b having apipetter. In the aliquot treatment unit 5 b, the rack entered into therack transferring area 25 from the line unit le through the rack inletport is transferred to the line unit le from the rack transferring area25 though the rack outlet port after being performed with suckingtreatment at a sample sucking position 35. In the bar code labeler unit6, the rack entered into the rack transferring area 26 from the lineunit if through the rack inlet port is transferred to the line unit iffrom the rack transferring area 26 though the rack outlet port afterbeing performed with treatment at a bar code labeling position 36.

[0037] In the restoppler unit 7, the rack entered into the racktransferring area 27 from the line unit 1 g through the rack inlet portis transferred to the line unit 1 g from the rack transferring area 27though the rack outlet port after being performed with restopplingtreatment at a position 37. In the sorting unit 8, the rack entered intothe rack transferring area 28 from the line unit lh through the rackinlet port is transferred to the line unit lh from the rack transferringarea 28 though the rack outlet port after being performed withextracting treatment of a selected test tube at a position 38. In theanalyzer unit 9, the rack entered into the rack transferring area 29from the line unit li through the rack inlet port is transferred to theline unit li from the rack transferring area 29 though the rack outletport after being performed with sample sucking treatment of a selectedtest tube at a position 39.

[0038] Although each of the treatment units in the example shown in FIG.2 has the rack inlet port and the rack outlet port arranged at positionsdifferent from each other, each of some units out of the plurality oftreatment units may have a port commonly usable as the rack inlet portand the rack outlet port, if necessary. In the sample rack handlingsystem as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, order of arraying the treatmentunits may be changed and may be exchanged each other. In addition,number of the treatment units may be increased or decreased.

[0039] Each of the treatment units 4 to 9 can transfer the sampling rackindependently of each other in a state separated from the racktransportation system 1. The length in each of the treatment units alonga direction transporting the sample rack on the rack transportationsystem 1 is standardized in two kinds or three kinds. In the example ofFIG. 2, the width of each of the treatment unit is either 450 mm or 600mm. As the concept of the system, this dimension is integer times of aspacing of vertical stripes, to be described later, uniformly spaced andarranged on a front surface of the total system after constructing thesystem along the transporting direction of the sample rack. That is, thespacing of the stripes is 150 mm.

[0040] In the sample rack handling system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, therack loader unit 50 and the rack storage unit 60 are integrated with therack transportation system 1 before each of the treatment unitstructures are combined. The rack transportation system integrated withthe rack loader unit and the rack storage unit as described above issometimes called as a core structure portion.

[0041] The relationship of relative height between the racktransportation assembly and the treatment unit structure will bedescribed below, referring to FIG. 3. It is possible to construct insuch that one treatment unit structure is combined with one racktransportation assembly. However, it is preferable that a plurality oftreatment unit structures are combined with one rack transportationassembly, as described later referring to FIG. 7.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, the rack transportation assembly 30comprises a rack transportation mechanism 42 and a platform 41. Theframe of the platform 41 includes a projecting member 45 composed of aparallelepiped box or Lshaped metal members and plates, upper end frames56 and a plurality of columns 57, 58 connecting them. A positioning pin14c is attached to the front side of the upper end frame 56. Theprojecting member 45 also serves as a base of the platform 41. Theprojecting member 45 is projected toward the front of the racktransportation assembly 30 so as to mount a part of the treatment unitstructure 70. The length of the portion of the projecting member 45projecting frontward from the support 57 is longer than the length ofthe positioning pin 14c.

[0043] A plurality of casters 46, 47 and a plurality of adjusters 48, 49are attached onto the bottom surface of the projecting member 45. It ispreferable that both of number of the casters and number of theadjusters are four or more. When the rack transportation assembly 30 ismoved on a floor of inspection room, rollers of the casters 46, 47rotate in contact to the floor to make the movement of the racktransportation assembly 30 smooth. When the rack transportation assembly30 is moved, the adjusters 48, 49 are drawn back toward the projectingmember 45 side so that the lower ends of the adjusters are positioned ata level higher than that of the lower ends of the casters 46, 47. Theadjusters 48, 49 are used for adjusting height when the racktransportation assembly 30 is fixed on the floor after the set positionis determined. Since the adjusters 48, 49 can be extended so that thelower ends of the casters 46, 47 detached from the floor.

[0044] The projecting member 45 is constructed in such a shape that thetop surface in the portion projecting frontward from the support 57forms a rectangular area having the long sides along the width directionof the platform 41. The top surface of the area in the projecting member45 is polished flat and smooth. The flat-and-smooth surface is a firstreference surface 55. That is, the first reference surface 55 in theheight direction is formed in facing upward.

[0045] A rack transportation mechanism 42 is attached onto the upper endframe 56 of the platform 41. The rack transportation mechanism 42comprises a passage 43 a for a rack supply line, a passage 43 b for rackreturn line, a conveyer belt capable of mounting and transferring thesample rack and a motor for driving the conveyer belt. Since the surfaceof the conveyer belt stretched in the passage 43 a is in contact withthe bottom surface of the sample rack, the belt surface servers as arack transportation surface 44. In a case where the sample rack istransported using a means for transporting the sample rack without usingany belt, that is, the rack is transported using a hook reciprocallymovable along the passage 43 a, the rack is moved in sliding on a bottomsurface of the passage 43 a which becomes the rack transportationsurface. The treatment unit structure 70 corresponding to each of thevarious kinds of treatment units 4 to 9 (refer to FIG. 2) has the racktransferring area, as described above. On the rack transferring area,the sample rack is moved using a movable hook or a rack pushingmechanism. In this case, the surface of the rack transferring areabecomes the rack transferring surface 65. One or more projections 62having a smoothly polished surface are provided on the bottom surface 61of the boxshaped treatment unit structure 70. The projection 62 isformed at a position nearer to the back surface of the treatment unitstructure 70 than an attached position of the caster 67. In a case ofproviding a plurality of the projections 62, the projections arearranged along and nearly parallel to a ridgeline in the lower end ofthe back surface 64. The smooth bottom surface in the projection 62becomes a second reference surface in the height direction. That is thesecond reference surface is formed in facing downward.

[0046] The plurality of casters 66, 67 and the plurality of adjusters 68are attached on the bottom surface 61 of the treatment unit structure70. Number of the casters 66, 67 in one treatment unit structure 70 ispreferably three or more. Number of the adjusters 68 in one treatmentunit structure 70 is two or more. The plurality of adjusters 68 arearranged along and nearly parallel to a lower ridgeline in the frontsurface 69 of the treatment unit structure 70.

[0047] When the treatment unit structure 70 is moved on the floor in theinspection room, the lower ends of the adjusters 68 do not contact thefloor surface because the adjusters 68 are drawn back toward the bottomsurface 61 by height adjusting screws 71. However, the rollers in thelower ends of the casters 66, 67 are in contact with the floor surfaceto make the movement of the treatment unit structure smooth by therotation of the rollers. The lower ends of the adjusters 68 and thelower ends of the casters 66, 67 are nearer to the floor surface thanthe reference surface. The adjusters 68 are provided at positions nearerto the lower edge of the front surface 69 than positions of the caters66. The caters 66, 67 are capable of being expanded or contracted usingheight adjusters 72, 73.

[0048] Procedure of setting the treatment unit structure 70 to the racktransportation assembly 30 will be described below, referring to FIG.4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C. The rack transportation assembly 30 transportedinto the inspection room is moved to a set position by the function ofthe casters 46, 47. By lowering the lower ends of the plurality ofadjusters 48, 49 lower than the lower ends of the casters 46, 47 tobring the lower ends of the adjusters in contact with the floor surface.At that time, the height of the rack transportation assembly 30 isadjusted by the adjusters 48, 49 so that the rack transportationassembly becomes horizontal in both the front-and-back direction and theright-and-left direction.

[0049] On the other hand, the treatment unit structure 70 moved near thefront surface side of the rack transportation assembly 30 by thefunction of the casters 66, 67 is lifted by operation of the heightadjusters 72, 73 of the casters 66, 67 so that the reference surface 63of the projection 62 facing downward becomes higher than the referencesurface 55 of the projecting member 45 facing upward, as shown in FIG.4A. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the back surface 64 of the treatment unitstructure 70 is set opposite to the front surface of the racktransportation assembly 30 having been fixed, and the treatment unitstructure 70 is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly 30 fromthe front surface 69 side of the treatment unit structure 70, and thepositioning pin 14 c is inserted into a vertically long groove in aplate 15 b.

[0050] After that, as shown in FIG. 4C, the treatment unit structure 70is lowered by operation of the height adjusters of the casters 66, 67 inthe treatment unit structure 70. When the lower surface of theprojection 62 is brought in contact with the upper surface of theprojecting member 45, the height adjusting work by the height adjustersof the casters 66, 67 is stopped. By doing so, the first referencesurface 55 agrees with the second reference surface 63. After that, theheight adjusting screws of the adjusters 68 are operated so that theheight in the front surface 69 side agrees with the height in the backsurface 64 side and at the same time the lower ends of the plurality ofadjusters 68 arranged in the right hand side and in the left hand sidein the width direction are brought in contact with the floor surface.The attaching position of the caster 67 attached onto the lower surface61 is determined so that the caster 67 nearer to the back surface 64 isnot in contact with the projecting member 45 when the setting iscompleted as shown in FIG. 4C.

[0051] Relative relationship between a height dimension a (refer to FIG.3) between the reference surface 63 of the projection 62 and the racktransferring surface 65 in the treatment unit structure 70 and a heightdimension b (refer to FIG. 3) between the reference surface 55 of theprojecting member 45 and the rack transportation surface 44 in the racktransportation assembly 30 is kept constant. By doing so, the heightadjusting work in order to make transferring of the sample rack smoothbecomes easy. In FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C, the reference characters areomitted for the sake of simplification.

[0052] When the rack transportation assembly 30 and the treatment unitstructure 70 are combined with or connected to each other, specialconsideration is paid so as to make transportation or transferring ofthe sample rack smooth after completion of the setting. That is, in acase where the inlet port and the outlet port for receiving and sendingout the sample rack are separately arranged in each of the treatmentunit structures, relationship expressed by the following equations (1)and (2) exists between the dimension b between the reference surface 55of the projecting member 45 and the rack transportation surface 44 inthe rack transportation assembly 30 and the dimension a between thereference surface 63 of the projection 62 and the rack transferringsurface (the surface of the inlet port and the outlet port in each ofthe treatment units which the rack bottom surface is in contact with) 65in the treatment unit structure 70.

a<b≦a+5 mm  (1)

b<a≦b+5 mm  (2)

[0053] The equation (1) corresponds to an equation applied to the casewhere the sample rack is moved (carried in) from the passage 43 a in therack transportation assembly 30 to the inlet port of the racktransferring area in the treatment unit structure 70, and the equation(2) corresponds to an equation applied to the case where the sample rackis moved (carried out) from the outlet port of the rack transferringarea in the treatment unit structure 70 to the passage 43 a in the racktransportation assembly 30. The equation (1) means that the level of therack transportation surface 44 is equal to or higher than the level ofthe rack transferring surface 65 at the inlet, but the level differencedoes not exceed 5 mm. The condition of b being equal to or larger than ameans that if on the contrary, b is smaller than a, an ascending step inthe moving direction of the sample rack is formed and accordingly thesample rack may be caught in that portion. This disturbs smooth movingor transporting of the sample rack, and in addition the sample held inthe sample rack may be scattered. The condition of b being equal to orsmaller than (a+5 mm) means that if b exceeds the value (a+5 mm), alarge step is formed at that portion to possibly cause falling orscattering of the sample. The equation (2) means that the level of therack transferring surface 65 at the outlet is equal to or higher thanthe level of the rack transportation surface 44, but the leveldifference does not exceed 5 mm. The reason is the same as in the caseof the equation (1).

[0054]FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view explaining positioning in a widthdirection and in a depth direction when two of the treatment unitstructures 70 a, 70 b are combined with the one rack transportationassembly 30. In FIG. 5, Z-axis is taken in the height direction, X-axisis taken in the width direction along the passage 43 a which intersectswith the height direction at right angle, and Yaxis is taken in thedepth direction which intersects with both of the height direction andthe width direction at right angle. Only two treatment unit structuresare shown in FIG. 5 because the positioning can be performed in asimilar way even if the number and the kinds of the treatment unitstructures are changed.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 5, the rack transportation assembly 30comprises plates 14 a and 14 b respectively having a positioningreference surface, and the plate 14b has the pin 14 c for positioning inthe X-direction. Each of the treatment unit structures 70 a, 70 bcomprises plates 15 a and 15 b respectively having a positioningreference surface in the Y-direction. The plate 15 b out of the plateshas a vertical long groove in the Z-direction, and by inserting thepositioning pin 14 c in the groove the surface of the plate 14 b and thesurface of the plate 15 b are brought in contact with each other toperform positioning in the Xdirection.

[0056] By pushing the treatment unit structure 70 b in the directionshown by an arrow in FIG. 5 at setting the treatment unit structure tothe rack transportation assembly, the plates 15 a and the 15 b arerespectively brought in contact with the plates 14 a and 14 b to makethe positioning reference surfaces agree with each other and to make thepin 14 c engaged into the vertical long groove. This state can beunderstand by referring to the connected state shown by the treatmentunit structure 70 a. Thereby, positioning of the rack transportationassembly and each of the treatment unit structures in the X-directionand the Y-direction in connection with the transported sample rack 10 isautomatically performed, and consequently adjustment-free setting inthese direction can be realized.

[0057] It is preferable that a relative positioning error in theX-direction and the Y-direction between the rack transportation assemblyand the treatment unit structure is below 5 mm. By doing so, the samplerack can be smoothly moved or transported, and falling of the samplerack and scattering of the sample can be prevented.

[0058]FIG. 6 is an outward view showing a further embodiment of layoutin a sample rack handling system to which the present invention isapplied. A plurality of treatment unit structures are tightly arrangedbetween the rack loader unit 50 and the rack storage unit 60. In FIG. 6,a cluster composed of a plurality of treatment unit structures isindicated by the reference character 20. The rack transportation system1 is arranged along the back surface of the cluster 20.

[0059] Vertical stripes 16 composed of slits uniformly spaced in thedirection along the direction transporting the sample rack in the racktransportation system 1 are provided on each of the front surfaces ofthe plurality of treatment unit structures composing the cluster 20. Alength of the sample rack in the direction along the directiontransporting the sample rack is 120 mm, and a length of a tray in thesample rack receiving side and a tray in the sample rack sending side inthe direction (width) along the direction transporting the sample rackis generally 150 mm. This dimension is set to a minimum unit, and thespacing of the vertical stripes 16 is set to 150 mm by matching with theminimum dimensional unit. A width of each of the treatment unitstructure is set to a value integer times of the stripe spacing. This isbecause it is possible, by doing so, to obtain a designing effectcapable of expressing that the system is a continuous body of thetreatment units.

[0060]FIG. 7A to FIG. 7F are schematic plan views explaining variousexamples of combination of rack transportation mechanism portions when aplurality of the treatment unit structures 70 are combined with one racktransportation assembly 30. As the racks for the one rack transportationassembly 30, three kinds of platforms, that is, a rack 41 a of 1050 mmwidth, a rack 41 b of 1200 mm width and a platform 41 c of 1650 mm widthare prepared. As the rack transportation mechanisms to be set to theplatform, two kinds of rack transportation mechanisms 42 a and 42 bhaving a length agreeing with the width of the treatment unit structure70 to be attached to the rack are prepared. These rack transportationmechanisms correspond to the line units 1 a to 1 i in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.The length of the rack transportation mechanism 42 a is 450 mm, and thelength of the rack transportation mechanism 42 b is 600 mm.

[0061]FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C show examples of attaching two racktransportation mechanisms to one platform, and FIG. 7D to FIG. 7F showexamples of attaching three transportation mechanisms to one platform.The treatment unit 4, 6 or 7 of 450 mm width is attached in the frontsurface side of the rack transportation mechanism 42 a of 450 mm length,and the treatment unit 5 a, 5 b, 8 or 9 of 600 mm width is attached inthe front surface side of the rack transportation mechanism 42 b of 600mm length. Either of the rack transportation mechanisms has a length,that is, a length of the passage 43 a or 43 b equal to integer times ofthe minimum dimensional unit 150 mm. The rack transportation assembly ineach example of the FIG. 7A to FIG. 7F is used solely or in a combinedand connected state so as to be inserted between the rack loader unit 50and the rack storage unit 60.

[0062] As having described above, according to the present invention, itis possible to substantially reduce manpower for height adjusting workwhen the treatment unit structure is detachably set to the racktransportation assembly, and in spite of reducing the manpower it ispossible to smoothly transfer the sample rack between the treatment unitstructure and the rack transportation assembly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sample rack handling system comprising a racktransportation assembly having a passage capable of transporting asample rack holding a sample, the rack transportation assembly being tobe installed on a floor surface; and a treatment unit structure having arack transferring area for sending out and receiving the sample rack toand from said passage, the treatment unit structure being capable ofbeing combined with said rack transportation assembly, which furthercomprises: a projecting member formed in said rack transportationassembly below said passage, the projecting member projecting forwardfrom said rack transportation assembly; a first reference surface facingupward formed on an upper surface of said projecting member; a pluralityof adjusters for adjusting height, the adjuster being attached at aposition lower than said projecting member in said rack transportationassembly; a second reference surface facing downward formed at aposition near a back surface of said treatment unit structure lower thansaid rack transferring area; casters to be used so as to contact to saidfloor surface when said treatment unit structure is moved on the floorsurface, the caster being arranged at a position lower than said secondreference surface in said treatment unit structure; and a heightadjuster capable of adjusting a height from the floor surface in thefront side of said treatment unit structure after said second referencesurface is brought in contact with said first reference surface.
 2. Asample rack handling system according to claim 1, wherein said castersin said treatment unit structure are attached at a position where saidcasters do not come into contact with said rack transportation assemblywhen combining of said treatment unit structure with said racktransportation assembly is completed.
 3. A sample rack handling systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said rack transferring area comprises arack inlet port and a rack outlet port, after completion of combiningsaid treatment unit structure with said rack transportation assembly, alevel of a rack transferring surface of said rack inlet port being nothigher than a level of a rack transportation surface of said passage insaid rack transportation assembly, a level of a rack transferringsurface of said rack outlet port being not lower than a level of a racktransportation surface of said passage in said rack transportationassembly, a level difference between said rack transportation surfaceand each of said rack transferring surfaces being not larger than 5 mm.4. A sample rack handling system according to claim 1, wherein aplurality of treatment unit structures are combined with one racktransportation assembly.
 5. A sample rack handling system according toclaim 1, wherein said rack transportation assembly includes a platformhaving said projecting member and said plurality of adjusters; and arack transportation mechanism having said passage, the racktransportation mechanism being attached onto said platform.
 6. A samplerack handling system according to claim 1, wherein said treatment unitstructure comprises a plurality of vertical stripes formed in an equalinterval on a front surface of said treatment unit structure, and awidth dimension of said treatment unit structure is integer times of theinterval of said stripes.